Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) today reported second quarter net income of $52.0 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared to net income of $53.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted share during the previous quarter, and net income from continuing operations of $41.2 million, or $0.48 per diluted share during the second quarter of 2012.

The current quarter included a charge of $8.6 million ($5.4 million net of taxes), or $0.06 per diluted share, for costs incurred during the launch of the Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE: IVH), our first closed-end fund. Excluding these costs, second quarter adjusted net income would have been $57.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. The use of non-GAAP adjusted figures is presented for the purpose of providing comparative results to other periods. The table on page 2 provides a breakdown of expenses associated with the launch of the Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund and a reconciliation to GAAP.

Operating revenues were $332 million, an improvement of 5% compared to the previous quarter and 15% compared to the same period last year. The operating margin was 25.6%; however, excluding the above referenced costs associated with the launch of our closed-end fund, the operating margin was 28.2%, a multi-year high.

On July 2, we internalized the management of the Global Natural Resources funds after the portfolio manager’s retirement from Mackenzie Financial Corporation, the subadvisor. By managing the Global Natural Resources funds in-house, the company will realize a decline in future subadvisory costs.

Assets under management were $104 billion at quarter-end, a sequential increase of 1% and a year-over-year increase of 17%. Net inflows were $935 million, compared to $2.1 billion during the previous quarter and $376 million during the second quarter of 2012.

Reconciliation to GAAP

Summary Income Statement

As reported

IVH

Adjusted

(Amounts in thousands, except for per share data)

(GAAP)

Expenses

(Non-GAAP)

Total Operating Revenues

$

331,706

$

-

$

331,706

Operating Expenses:

U&D Direct

127,488

(1,288

)

126,200

U&D Indirect

37,356

(536

)

36,820

Underwriting and distribution (total)

164,844

(1,824

)

163,020

General and administrative

26,938

(6,728

)

20,210

All other operating expenses

54,889

-

54,889

Total Operating Expenses

246,671

(8,552

)

238,119

Operating Income

85,035

8,552

93,587

Non-operating expenses

(1,856

)

-

(1,856

)

Income before provision for income taxes

83,179

8,552

91,731

Provision for income taxes

31,222

3,177

34,399

Net Income

$

51,957

$

5,375

$

57,332

Net income per share

0.61

0.06

0.67

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

85,869

85,869

85,869

Operating margin

25.6

%

N/A

28.2

%

Business Discussion

Management commentary

“We continue to make progress toward our objective of improving the operating margin,” said Hank Herrmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. “We have been able to improve margins through careful expense management, consistent organic growth, and the benefit of positive market action on our business model.”

Channelized discussion

Our Wholesale channel ended the quarter with $53.9 billion in assets under management, up $0.6 billion, or 1% sequentially. Sales momentum continued with $5.0 billion of new sales during the quarter, a multi-year quarterly high. Net inflows of $1.1 billion remain solid, although somewhat lower than the previous quarter. Investors’ concern over the Federal Reserve tapering its Quantitative Easing program and rising interest rates impacted demand for financial assets in June, and led to an increase in redemptions and slowing gross sales.

Our Advisors channel ended the quarter with $38.2 billion in assets under management, up $0.3 billion, or 1% sequentially. Sales of $1.4 billion mark a new record high for this channel, rising 8% compared to the earlier high set during the previous quarter. Net inflows of $259 million remain robust, underscoring the stability of our Advisors’ model and sustainability of the asset base.

Finally, our Institutional channel ended the quarter with $12.3 billion in assets under management, down $0.3 billion, or 2% sequentially. Sales of $379 million during the quarter were somewhat lower than expected; reflecting the long closing cycle of the business. Net outflows were $432 million.

Management Fee Revenue Analysis

The sequential increase in revenues is due primarily to higher levels of average assets under management and benefited from one additional day during the current period. Compared to the same period last year, revenues rose on higher levels of average assets under management.

Net Distribution Cost Analysis

Wholesale channel

Compared to the previous quarter, higher asset levels led to an increase in both revenues and direct costs. Higher wholesaler commissions also added to direct costs during the quarter. Indirect costs were largely unchanged as higher marketing costs associated with the launch of our closed-end fund were offset by lower computer software costs and lower payroll taxes.

Compared to the second quarter of 2012, higher asset levels led to an increase in both revenues and direct costs. Higher wholesaler commissions due to increased sales volume also contributed to the increase in direct costs. Indirect costs rose due to higher marketing costs associated with the launch of our closed-end fund.

Advisors channel

Sequentially, revenues rose as higher levels of assets under management led to increased asset-based Rule 12b-1 fees and advisory fees. Higher sales commissions also contributed to the increase in revenues. The effective commission payout rate remained unchanged, resulting in direct expenses rising in line with revenues. Indirect costs declined due to favorable adjustments to pension and group health plan costs, lower payroll taxes and lower field office expenses.

Compared to the same period last year, higher levels of assets under management and an increase in sales commissions drove the increase in revenues and direct expenses. Indirect costs were lower due to field office cost management.

Compensation and Related Expense Analysis

The sequential decline is due to lower incentive compensation costs, favorable adjustments to pension and group health plan costs, and lower payroll taxes. These were largely offset by an increase in equity compensation costs. Compared to the same period last year, costs increased on a combination of higher base salaries, incentive compensation and equity compensation.

General and Administrative Expense Analysis

The sequential increase is largely due to $6.7 million in costs associated with the launch of our closed-end fund during the quarter. The previous quarter included a reduction in estimated legal costs, while the current quarter saw an increase in national advertising costs.

Compared to the same period last year, the above referenced increase in costs was somewhat offset by a $5.0 million charge to write off software and capitalized development costs during the second quarter of 2012.

Investment and Other Income Analysis

Sequentially, gains in both our available-for-sale and trading portfolios were higher in the previous period. Compared to the same quarter last year, investment and other income remained largely unchanged.

Balance Sheet Information

As of June 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents and investment securities were $547 million. Long-term debt was $190 million and there was no short-term debt outstanding.

Stockholders’ equity was $563 million and there were 85.8 million shares outstanding. During the quarter, we repurchased 789 thousand shares on the open market or privately, bringing our annual total to 871 thousand shares at an aggregate cost, including commissions, of $37 million.

Stockholders, members of the investment community and the general public are invited to listen to a live Web cast of our earnings release conference call today, July 30 th at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. During this call, Henry J. Herrmann, Chairman and CEO, will review our quarterly results. Live access to the teleconference will be available on the “Investor Relations” section of our Web site at www.waddell.com. A Web cast replay will be made available shortly after the conclusion of the call and accessible for seven days.

Web site Resources

We invite you to visit the “Investor Relations” section of our Web site at www.waddell.com under the caption “Data Tables” to review supplemental information schedules.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the current views and assumptions of management with respect to future events regarding our business and industry in general.These forward-looking statements include all statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, including statements with respect to revenues and earnings, the amount and composition of assets under management, distribution sources, expense levels, redemption rates and the financial markets and other conditions.These statements are generally identified by the use of such words as "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "forecast," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "outlook," "will," "potential" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature.Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of the Company is not a guarantee of future performance.Actual results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those discussed below.If one or more events related to these or other risks, contingencies or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those forecasted or expected.Certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which include, without limitation:

The introduction of legislative or regulatory proposals or judicial rulings that change the independent contractor classification of our financial advisors at the federal or state level for employment tax or other employee benefit purposes;

The adverse ruling or resolution of any litigation, regulatory investigations and proceedings, or securities arbitrations by a federal or state court or regulatory body;

The loss of existing distribution channels or inability to access new distribution channels;

A reduction in assets under our management on short notice, through increased redemptions in our distribution channels or our Funds, particularly those Funds with a high concentration of assets, or investors terminating their relationship with us or shifting their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures;

Our inability to implement new information technology and systems, or inability to complete such implementation in a timely or cost effective manner;

Non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations and changes in current legal, regulatory, accounting, tax or compliance requirements or governmental policies;

A decline in the securities markets or in the relative investment performance of our Funds and other investment portfolios and products as compared to competing funds; and

Our inability to hire and retain senior executive management and other key personnel.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with other cautionary statements included in this and other reports and filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information in Item 1 "Business" and Item 1A "Risk Factors" of Part I and Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Part II to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and as updated in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the year ending December 31, 2013.All forward-looking statements speak only as the date on which they are made and we undertake no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.